Call to streamline Maori housing

More funding is also needed to raise the standard of Maori housing and to provide for different housing arrangements, like communal housing clusters on ancestral land. Photo / Thinkstock

A Maori architecture specialist is calling for a more streamlined approach towards Maori housing.

Rau Hoskins says better housing solutions would be found if the three organisations that deal with Maori housing are combined.

With about 7000 substandard Maori homes in Northland alone, Mr Hoskins says it's important incorporations, trusts and individuals work with one entity to develop housing plans rather than jumping over a number of hurdles.

"I think there's been a long held desire to see a 'one-stop shop' Maori housing entity."

Mr Hoskins, says there are already about 1000 papakainga across the country, but not all of them have many, if any, dwellings on them.

"There is a demand for people to have high quality housing on ancestral land as long as they can maintain some level of employment."

Mr Hoskins says councils in Northland, Auckland, Hastings, the western Bay of Plenty, and Wanganui are particularly proactive in making provisions for papakainga in their annual plans.

He says more funding is also needed to raise the standard of Maori housing and to provide for different housing arrangements, like communal housing clusters on ancestral land.